The Voice In My Head…

Had a rather downer day…

Went for a long walk (about 3 hours) by the sea & then on several in-roads… after the rains I suppose I shouldn’t have been too surprised to see no traffic at all (even though it was a Sunday evening).

Walking always makes me feel better. Was filled with a quite assurance that no matter what, God would work all things out for good.

Arthur suddenly appeared out of nowhere & drove me to Ashley’s place where they were having yet another send off party for Trevor (his flight had been postponed due to the backlog in the airport).

Stayed for a bit, but didn’t really feel like hanging around so many smiling faces. Had an early night.

Finally went ahead and did something all by myself. Decided to make a Pullav and the Pindi Channas for lunch (had already pre-soaked these overnight).

It’s said that pictures speak a 1000 words, so will do this in pics

(01) Started with the Pullav… pretty easy instructions which I followed precisely (except for the peas, as I didn’t have any peas in the house). Here’s Pullav cooking.

(02) Started to make the ‘Bagar’ for the channas. The ingredients for the Bagar included a ‘Roasted Amchoor Powder’. Since we had Amchoor Powder, decided to roast this myself. It’s well to be noted, I messed up in this itself (which led to all future problems). The recipe said – “… roasted to a dark color”. Silly Mello kept roasting and roasting, but not getting the dark color. Now though by this time, kitchen was filled with fumes (seriously) and Mello was coughing & coughing (also seriously), she did not have the common sense she ought to stop roasting. After all, it wasn’t yet a dark color. Brilliant.

(No pics here, was too busy coughing)

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My dearest Trevor migrates to Canada in a few days (though his flight details are a bit sketchy due to the floods). He’s going to be studying Sacred Theology. His family (wifey & 2 babies) will join him shortly. Had a send off party for him at Arthur’s.

I really praise God for the amazing gift of Trevor in my life. Raphael (who ironically also migrated to Canada abt 3 yrs ago) & he were the two people who got me through a very very hard period in my life (end 2000). I will never forget either of them for that.

But besides that there are so many things to be grateful to God about Trevor. His zest for God - His amazing intellect & zeal to study more and learn more - The kicks on the butt I received from him everytime I strayed even a little bit.

I couldn’t really write praise enough to God for everything that Trevor was to me. I just thank God for the times we spent together & I wish him all God’s blessings for his life ahead. I know God will work wonders with him.

Amen.

Went for my second cooking class. Was considerably better than the first class – for starters, I knew what was happening due to the list I sat and made with mum on Tuesday night. And though I didn’t try out any of the dishes from Monday’s class, yesterday’s lesson with mum made me feel like I had.

Class 2 comprised of learning to make:
(01) Dal Makhani
(02) Tandoori Pomfret
(03) Tandoori Chicken
(04) Chiken Makhani
(05) Malai Tikas

(and as usual, a long list of variations on each dish)

Was sent home early as there was a rumor of an approaching cyclone. Was not fazed – rumors have been plenty since Tuesday’s floods & they’re just that, only rumors.

Have been hearing the “You only appreciate it when you pay for it” lecture from my mum, ever since I joined up for the cooking class – she’s happy I’m (finally) showing an interest in the kitchen, but part of her is annoyed I have to go out to get educated. Among other things, mum’s a gourmet chef in her own right - she cooks several different cuisines, and is very particular to always cook “authentic”, often going to the extent of importing various spices and herbs not available in Mumbai.

I try to explain to my mother that she’s always busy at work & that she doesn’t really have time to teach me – or at the (very few) times I’ve tried to learn before, she’s always gone too fast for me (like most artistic people, she has an AWFUL temper) and loses her head that I don’t know “basics” at my age.

Today however was a good day. She decided to be nice to me for a change and showed me how to make a very simple – yet amazingly succulent Goan Prawn Curry (like Sharda, she too showed me several variations on the dish).

She went pretty slow for me and even gave me an opportunity to write everything down & do pretty much everything myself. Since she was by my side, the whole thing turned out perfect.

Totally enjoyed my lesson (& the meal afterwards) and definitely intend to catch mum more often… though I’m not sure when (it’s only because of the floods that she’s home these days).

What can I say about the floods?

That Mumbai’s in an unbelievable state? That many of my friends spent days (as we found out later) stuck in their offices or cars or in trains? Or that many walked home ridiculous distances wading through chin high waters? That all at Tabor spent 48 hours in the pouring rain on the (single aluminium sheet) roof while everything was washed away in the roaring river?

What can I say that hasn’t been said a million times on every news channel… that Mumbai’s a mess. And that the people of Mumbai are weeping…

I believe the 26th July 2005 will go down in history as being one of Mumbai’s city’s worst days – it was definitely up there with the riots and the bomb blast of Dec 92/Mar 93. The unprecedented rains (& subsequent floods) saw people losing their homes, their livelihoods (15000 + sheep alone have died) and many many unfortunate souls - their lives. A week later as I type this out (today’s Tues 2nd August), the death toll due to the floods is 1000 and rising.

The day started out as any other. Had an afternoon meeting in the Grand Hyatt so did not venture into the city (praise God). Had lots of odds and ends of work to do, which we finished in the morning. Mum even managed to go visit her sister in the clinic (mum was debating at the time whether to go before or after the meeting as there was lots of bank work before as well).

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Started the day ridiculously early (5.30am) as I had to drop my aunt off to a private clinic, where she had to have a minor surgery. Turns out the doc. gave her the wrong timing & the surgery was scheduled to be at 1 in the afternoon and not at 8am. Okkkay.

Had lunch with Khush (at Vistas) as he’s off to Espanol for a few days (Ay caramba, watch out you, senoritas).

From there it was off to my first Cooking Class Thought I’d be late, but managed to make it on time… Details in post following.

Came back & went back to the clinic, aunt’s doing fine, praise God. Managed to make it to chapel (praise God again!) and also to Music Ministry pracs & came home quite zonked. Not late, but am going to retire to bed. Nightey night people.

Flashback: First day of college.

Can be a harrowing experience for anyone. Luckily for me, I had my neighbour who was also an FYJC at the same college. But when I called for her at the appointed time, she had already gone with one of her school friends.

Slightly peeved (you can see, I’ve still not forgotten), I decided there was only one thing to do. Go alone and keep my head up. After all, I wouldn’t be the only new one -everyone else in the FYJC were new too.

I walked in – I can still remember clearly what I was wearing – and I owned the place. I knew every second person. I knew most of the guys from tuitions or from Sunday School, in fact after the very first day of college, I knew I would love every day at college (& I did).

Back to the present: Cooking.

Only difference is that the others in the class are not on my level (i.e. the lowest level one could be at). Still, how hard could it be? And I have to learn sometime, so it might as well be now.

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Had truly a blessed weekend. Saturday was able to make an appointment I would have missed if I had gone to Khandala - as God arranged it, didn’t have time to cancel the appointment and things worked out just fine

Evening I made the TBC Discipleship Course that I’ve committed myself to for this year. We meet once a month on the 4th Saturday & I’ve missed only one thus far (in May, when I was in Goa). I truly believe God made me stay back because of this course. In my heart I would never knowingly miss it (I had clean forgotten) & no amount of fun in Khandala would have made up for not being there. Again, things worked out great. Am more focussed than ever. Praise God for leading me in the right direction. Amen.

Sunday was able to go to Confirmation Class for the first time (missed the first one, next Sunday retreat, next Sunday feast, whew). The class had a little test of Catholic GQ to assess the level of the students. All our (Andy & I take one class) students (10 in all) are FYJC Students from various colleges all over Mumbai. Being at Confirmation Class reminded me sooo much of my Confirmation days, the fun we used to have - Breslyn with his slacks (he’s getting married next month in Perth to my darling Ally), Poncho Pilate Malone, Dion (who called from Dxb on my bday), Valentine Cards with Naazneen’s phone number on them (!!!) & other such really silly things. We were truly one mad & fun lot

Had A. Susan & U. Julian over for lunch as the boys were away for the weekend. Evening met up with a whole lot at church (after my prayer time) & went over to Bernadette’s to celebrate her bday. Didn’t plan on staying long but ended up leading P&W and wasn’t allowed to leave without eating dinner.

Not what I planned, but a good & holy weekend. And I’m happy